Govt to halve road traffic emissions by 2030

The government on Thursday made a resolution on reducing domestic transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, i.e., the roadmap for fossil-free transport.

The three-stage plan aims to halve transport-related emissions by 2030, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release.

In particular, the plan concerns greenhouse gas emissions from road transport. The government also made resolutions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport and aviation.

“We are living in a global transition period in which mobility and transport are becoming more climate-friendly. Finland, too, is developing new technologies and smart practices, up to the point of exporting them. In fact, emission reductions are the outcome of efficient solutions, for which the state offers diverse subsidies and incentives to businesses and citizens,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.

“While boldly deploying new solutions, we must see to social justice. If transport is electrified according to the goals, the impact on the price of fossil fuel will also remain unnoticeable. The costs of transports are carefully monitored,” added Harakka.

Zero-emission transport should be achieved by 2045. In 2005, carbon dioxide emissions from road transport totalled approximately 12.5 million tonnes, meaning that in 2030 these emissions should not exceed approximately 6.25 million tonnes.

The actions of the resolution pursue an additional reduction of 1.65 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to halve the emissions. The base forecast of greenhouse gas emissions from transport will be updated IN spring and summer this year.

The roadmap comprises three separate phases, the first of which includes several subsidies and incentives to promote low-emission transport. The costs of the first phase would mainly take place in 2022-2026, totalling approximately EUR 360 million in that period. The means of the first phase and their costs were reviewed by the Ministerial Finance Committee on 6 May before the resolution was made. The appropriations to promote the actions are to be reviewed in conjunction with the budget for 2022 and the general government fiscal plan for 2023-2026.

Transport causes one-fifth of Finland’s emissions. Road transport accounts for approximately 94 per cent of emissions in domestic transport. Passenger cars account for approximately 54 per cent, and vans and heavy-duty vehicles for approximately 41 per cent of emissions in domestic transport. Rail transport accounts for less than one per cent of the transport emissions.

The first-phase subsidies and incentives replace fossil fuels with e.g., electricity and biogas, renew the vehicle stock, and increase the energy efficiency of the transport system. A total of 20 actions are to be taken that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 0.62 megatonnes, which is more than one-third of the objective set in the roadmap.

The actions include adding biogas and electric fuels in the distribution obligation, distribution infrastructure support for public charging, and gas-filling stations, charging infrastructure support for housing companies and workplaces, updating the CO2 threshold that is binding on vehicle manufacturers, procurement support for fully electric vehicles, clean vehicle procurement by the public sector, cycling and walking investment programme, and improving the conditions, public transport subsidies etc.

Second phase will focus on remote work, new transport services, and increasing the obligation to distribute.

In the third phase, decision on supplementary actions will be taken, if necessary.